When thinking back on his time at Leeds United, Weston McKennie makes an incredibly candid confession.
Weston McKennie has talked candidly about his difficult time during Leeds United’s Premier League relegation.
After a difficult season at Elland Road, Weston McKennie feels he “let certain people down” at Leeds United.
Leeds gives Weston McKennie a difficult time.
The USA international was signed by the Whites in January of the previous campaign, a move that at the time seemed like a coup as they were fighting relegation.
The midfield player had over 40 caps for his nation and had led Juventus to a Coppa Italia victory. It was therefore anticipated that he would help Leeds as they attempted to move up the Premier League standings.
The transfer proved to be disastrous as McKennie found it difficult to adjust to English football and his efforts and performances failed to win over Leeds supporters.
What is the word on Weston McKennie’s time at Leeds?
The 25-year-old has since rejoined Juventus, where he has made frequent appearances as the team currently sits second in Serie A.
Thus, the player’s situation has greatly improved. According to the Athletic, he told Sky Italy that his difficulties at Leeds served as motivation for his success in Turin.
“I didn’t give my best efforts. I thought I had let some people down. Finally, though, I believe that having that experience and having it happen to me at this point in my career was important for me as a whole because, upon returning, it felt like I was returning for the first time.
“Everyone at Juventus didn’t know who I was, they weren’t sure of me, and I think that was a big deal for me because it made me feel like I had something to prove.” It was good to return and experience that feeling once more because that’s when I perform at my best and demonstrate that I can succeed and that I belong.
What will this mean to Leeds supporters?
Undoubtedly, McKennie was a huge letdown given his impressive background when he joined the team, as his contributions were not as significant as many had anticipated.
Fans will therefore value the player’s candor in this situation, and it’s a fact that transfers don’t always work out. Additionally, arriving in the middle of the season makes things harder because you have less time to get used to your new surroundings.
McKennie’s recovery at Juventus is commendable, but his time at Leeds will always be remembered as a letdown.
What comes next for Leeds?
Leeds’ difficult times from the previous season already seem like a long time ago because so much has changed over the summer, including a new manager and a team that is cohesively pulling in the same direction.
McKennie is not likely to be disliked, but Leeds will undoubtedly learn a valuable lesson from his signing should they ever make it back to the Premier League.
Daniel Farke has that task ahead of him with his team sitting third in the Championship heading into their match at Rotherham United on Friday night.
